I have been following your discussions with interest. My ancestors also came from Rock Island County -- mostly Port Byron. I am hoping to be able to pass through Rock Island county in a couple of weeks. Can you tell me where the Rock Island Co. Historical Library is located? Do you know the daily schedule? Would like to time my trip to take advantage of their hours, if at all possible. Janet Pease' newspaper abstracts (at least some of them) are on microfilm at LDS and can be ordered for use in the family history centers. I found lots of information in those abstracts. There are also copies of them at the Denver Public Library. Linda B.